2 DAYS IN BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
When I’m traveling, sometimes I have no attraction to certain cities. Bogota was one of them. In all honesty, I only visited the city because I felt I couldn’t leave it out of my Colombia itinerary. Plus, I had read and heard about it being dangerous by tourists who have visited and locals. But despite my fear of traveling solo to this enormous city, I decided to give it a try.
The truth is, I enjoyed Bogota more than I was expecting. Perhaps it’s not one of the most exciting cities in the country (I prefer Medellin), but there are some great things to do if you visit.
Bogota is a massive city! There are many things to do, see, eat, and explore. Perhaps you will enjoy it as much as I did. I must admit some areas can feel a bit sketchy in terms of safety, and it’s best not to flash your valuables. However, if you practice regular safety tips, you should be fine exploring the city.
Here is what I did in 2 days in Bogota:
2 Days In Bogota, Colombia
Table of Contents
2 Days In Bogota
Wander La Candelaria Neighborhood
I started with the most touristy spots first. I stayed in La Candelaria area because it was the most recommended by blog posts I read. So glad I stayed here because the streets are beautiful. They are cobblestone streets, and there are colonial-style buildings. As you wander around, you can find a few cafes to get your morning coffee from.
Admire Chorro de Quevedo
Chorro de Quevedo is a small plaza in the area of La Candelaria. It has cobblestone streets, colorful art, and many restaurant choices. At night, the area becomes even more alive, and you find many pocket-sized bars. It was one of my favorite parts of La Candelaria to walk through.
Walk Around Plaza de Bolivar
Plaza de Bolivar is a beautiful colonial square in the heart of the historical area of the city. You can find monuments, palaces, and a stunning cathedral. Sitting nearby are also restaurants where you can try the typical dishes of the city. What I loved about the Plaza were the beautiful mountain views behind it.
Go on a Beer Tour
If you know me, you know I don’t like beer at all. I’m not too fond of the taste. Instead, I prefer to drink fruity cocktails. However, my hostel was offering tours, and I decided to get out and do something. Plus, I know many of you probably do like beer.
Even though the beer tasting didn’t change my opinion, I enjoyed the tour because the girl in charge took us to a few restaurants and hang-out spots. We also had pizza for dinner and had a good time as a group. You book tours with The True Colombian Experience. If you don’t like beer like me, they also do food, coffee, walking, and natural tours around the city.
Enjoy Views of Bogota from Monserrate
Monserrate has a lovely view of Bogota. Getting to the top can be done in two ways. You can walk up and get your steps in, or you can take the funicular ride up. The funicular is similar to a tram and a cable car. The top of Monserrate is over 3,000 meters high (10,000 feet). It’s not an easy walk, and you will definitely feel the altitude if you aren’t used to it.
Unfortunately, I had just recovered from Covid, and for a few weeks afterward, I had breathing issues when exercising. So, for me, it was a rough walk up to the top. Thankfully though, the views at the top were worth it.
At the top, there is a church with a shrine and some lovely garden walkways. There are also small food vendors to reward yourself after a strenuous hike. Then, if you aren’t too tired, you can walk back down. Or, you can ride the funicular down as I did.
Visit Museo del Oro (Gold Museum)
Museo del Oro is a highly visited museum in the country and sees over half a million tourists every year. It documents the importance of gold in the pre-Hispanic civilizations. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the museum, they required you to register online beforehand due to Covid restrictions. But make sure to go as it is one of the most visited museums and the best things to do in the city.
See the Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
One of the prettiest churches I passed was The National Shrine of Our Lady of Carmen. It is a Gothic-style church also found in La Candelaria. It has red and white stripes both inside and out. It’s beautiful to look at, so make sure to stop.
Eat Ajiaco
Ajiaco is a unique Colombian dish that’s especially loved in Bogota. The soup is usually made with different kinds of potatoes and corn and includes protein. In my case, it was chicken. The soup is thickened by potatoes called papas criollas which dissolve. It was an excellent dish to have alongside a rainy day in the city. I recommend you try the one I had at La Puerta Falsa, near Plaza de Bolivar.
Drink Coffee
Everyone knows that Colombia is famous for its coffee! So make sure to enter one of the cafes you pass by to drink some. You’ll find many cute cafes in the Candelaria neighborhood.
Walk the City Center
The city center is huge! You will find all kinds of cute spots such as outdoor plazas, street art, and water fountains. You can get lost wandering around checking out the activities going on. I saw lots of restaurant options, I passed museums and stopped at an outdoor library exposition.
Where To Stay
Because the city is so big, you want to stay where walking is convenient. This will be either in Chapinero or La Candelaria. So, I stayed at The Cranky Croc Hostel in a private room. It was within walking distance of everything I wanted to see in Bogota. So, I didn’t end up using transportation but to the airport. The rest of the time, I walked my way around. If you spend more than 2 days in Bogota, you may prefer to stay at an Airbnb.
Getting to Bogota
You’ll land at El Dorado International Airport, one of the busiest airports in Latin America. It can feel a bit chaotic when you head out of the airport. I recommend you get in line for the authorized taxis. Many men will be outside offering a “taxi or Uber” ride, but they will charge you more and lie to you about how much the authorized taxis charge.
The authorized taxis charge a flat fee. You can talk to the people at the kiosk and get a receipt before getting on one. Prices are about 20,000-25,000 COP depending on where you are going. However, my local friends have apps like In Driver where they order a cab beforehand, which only charge about 14,000 COP from the airport to a place about 20 minutes away.
Getting Around Bogota
Like I mentioned earlier, this is a massive city! You don’t want to waste your time stuck in traffic to get to places. Therefore, I recommend you stay in the touristy areas where you’ll only need to walk. However, if you need transportation, I recommend taking Uber. It’s very cheap to use in Colombia. Never grab a taxi from the street. You can also use other local apps like Didi and In Driver (still, I prefer Uber). If you use a taxi, make sure it’s an authorized one that picks you up.
What to Pack For Bogota
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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